His Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace

Chapter

29

The sound of police sirens cut through the air. I could hear them getting closer, their lights flashing in the distance. I didn't move from my spot by the window as the

police arrived, guns drawn. They approached Nathan cautiously, assessing

the scene. The rogues, battered and

bruised, were being handcuffed and

dragged away one by one.

Nathan reached the front steps and

knocked, his hand still trembling from the

fight.

I hesitated for a moment before opening the door. Nathan stood there, bloodied, bruised, and holding the bouquet like it was some sort of peace offering. His eyes flickered to the toys scattered across the floor inside the house. They belonged to

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His Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace

37

Oliver. The sight of them seemed to stir something in Nathan, a brief flash of guilt crossing his face.

"-" He started, then stopped. He cleared his throat, trying again. "Doris, I'm sorry. I've been a fool. I know I messed up, and I want to make things right."

I didn't say anything, just stood there, staring at him blankly. My silence seemed to make him more desperate.

"I brought these for you," he said, lifting the roses. "I know how much you love

them."

I raised an eyebrow, the coldness in my voice unmistakable. "I'm allergic to roses.

Nathan blinked, taken aback. "What?"

"Sienna told you I loved roses, didn't she?"

I asked, crossing my arms over my chest.

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His Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace

37

29

Nathan stammered, his confusion

growing. "Yeah, she-she said you loved them. I thought-"

out a bitter laugh, shaking

"Of course she did.

Sienna had brought me flowers when

roses had made me

in hives, my skin itching so badly

scratching. Nathan hadn't believed me back then, accusing me

some new cosmetic that had

had sided

always.

fell as he realized

"I-I didn't know," he

you didn't." My

whatever Sienna

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But Our Son's in

37

29

really,"

the boNqNet, his knuckles white.

am. I didn't mean

I interrupted, my voice

my house,

call the police again."

widened, panic setting

"Doris, please"

"I said leave,"

I

for a moment longer,

change my mind. But

move, didn't soften,

the bouquet

his hand. I watched as

steps, his shoulders slumped in

as he was gone,

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Kavees, His Pleas, By Ow SONS

99

it, the

down on me. The house was a mess, toys

the remnants of

lingering in

long time, I felt nothing. No anger, no sadness, no

Just indifference.

in my yard, looking lost, broken, and bleeding. The sight of him disgusted me more than

that

all things. He still

never had.

I

in my chest

him I liked